re: Looking for a turnkey contractor to build on lot. Has anyone used Schumacher?

Pdub is giving you sound advice here, OP. I would review his posts carefully.

I've done many difficult things in my life, but outside of dealing with my Mom's Alzheimer's, building a house is by far the most stressful.

Per square foot cost is almost a meaningless number. Any decent builder will have to see detailed plans to give you a ballpark number. Even then, that price can vary widely depending on the changes you make.

Whovever you choose, get recent references.

Good luck.

Thanks VetteGuy.

We had a home built in 2008 in Denham Springs and that was pretty easy.We hired a GC who was referred by several different people.I picked plans,colors,bricks,roof,etc etc.
I wrote a total of 5 checks on that project.
When we had the chance to move to our place in Ms we knew we were going to ned a bigger home.
We had plans drawn and started interviewing GC's.
They were either looking to bankroll their retirement or their refs werent checking.
We decided to sub it ourselves and do as much as we could on our own.It took 7 months from forming the slab to moving in.This way was 100x more stressful and we ended up writing about 85-90 checks.Either way you go,make sure you are totally comfortable with who you are entrusting with the biggest investment of your life.

As far as $/sqft be real careful with some of those that advertise $60 a foot on your lot.Thats usually a barebones home figured on total area.A 2000 ft LA home with 1000 ft of porches/storage/carports will cost you 180,000 plus the lot,based on those numbers.Thats about 35-40k average for the lot.So now you are at 215-220k or 110 a ft LA .Not that great of a deal.

Thanks pdub

We are looking to go 1800-2000 living with 2 car garage shed and back porch.

Bought lot around 30k a while back.

Hoping to stay around $200,000 to $220,000 plus lot.
Is that unreasonable with a local GC?

I would say that is very reasonable.In that price range you should be able to build a very nice home.Spend your money where it makes a difference like insulation and energy effecient AC.Also,try to think of little things ahead of time.Do you want a gas grill conncetion on the porch?
A TV hookup out there? Prewired for home theater?
Little stuff like that is easy during construction but quite costly afterward.

So somewhere between $100-$120 sq/ft, living area?

Around 2400' under beam?

You can do it for that, possibly.

Materials have went way up over the past 18 months. KISS, but if you plan on staying in the house 10+ years, try to afford foam.
It is the number one thing to do for energy efficiency.

A good GC is going to have a few subs that he uses regularly. They do good work and he pays them promptly as promised. If the GC doesn't pay, the word spreads and he can't get good subs to work for him . He won't last long like that.

Gus Falgout, Kent Gaudet, Nut Hebert, Chris Ledet, Lee Rutter, Travis Buquet.

Gus is a good guy. He built my sister in laws house and it came out really nice.

Kent Built my house.... after 10 years in it I dont have a crack in my crown moulding.


Chris is building a buddy of mines house and last time I seen it it was coming along nicely.

I went to school with Travis and I work with the man who draws his plans....... highly reccomended. However I don't know if he builds in LaFouchche but its worth a call


Jimmy Cantrelle is an older fella, he has lots of rental properties and ran for Parish President a few times. I didnt know he built houses.

Another to look at is Superior Home Builders. I have friends with houses built by them.

Kent is slow..... be warned.

Never heard of Damon

Good luck getting in touch with Kent. If he's got work he won't even return your call.